Indicating switch



June 12, 1934. v BURKLE 1,962,125

'INDICATING SWITCH Filed March 15, 1933 INVENTOF! ROBERT BURKLE T5 1. 5. BY

ATTORNEY Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STATES INDICATIN G SWITCH Robert Burkle, North Bergen, N. J., assignor to Richard Merrifield, New York, N. Y.

Application March 15, 1933, Serial No. 660,843

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an indicating switch for grease solvent in dish washing machines.

This application is a continuation in part of my application entitled Automatic dish washing and drying machine, filed on June 4, 1932 in the United States Patent Oiiice, Serial No. 615,287.

The invention has for its main object the construction of an indicating switch which is characterized by an arrangement adapted to control a controlling circuit related to the liquid levelin the grease solvent tank of the washing machine.

Still further the invention contemplates an ar- .rangement associated with a float within the grease solvent liquid to control the controlling circuit.

As another object of this invention it is particularly proposed to provide an arrangement whereby the indicating switch may be mounted on the washing machine or through the grease solvent holding tank ofthe machine.

Still further the invention contemplates the arrangement whereby the indicating switch may be rotatively adjusted and in one position be in an operative condition and in another position be inoperative.

Still further the invention proposes an arrangement to adapt it to various types of indicating switches such as those including a commercial electric switch or a commercial mercury switch or other types of switches.

Still further the invention contemplates the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and whichmay be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, refer ence will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of 5 a washing machine, a portion thereof being broken away to show interior parts, and particularly discloses the grease solvent tank thereof and the indicating switch according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional application before mentioned. The switch 26 is view of a portion of the grease solvent tank showing an indicating switch constructed according to a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating a still further modified form.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line '7-7 of Fig. 6.

For the complete details of the washing machine, attention is called to the application mentioned previously. Briefly to associate the indicating switch with the washing machine the casing thereof is indicated generally by reference numeral 10 which is shown provided with legs 11. Within the casing there is located the grease solvent tank 12. The other portions of the washing machine will not be given here since the invention may readily be understood in association with these parts. A vertical rod 13 is slidably mounted within the tank 12 and extends from the top thereof. A float 14 is attached upon the bottom of the rod 13.

A bushing 15 is threadedly engaged through the casing 10 and rotatively supports a core 16. A pair of terminals 17 extend through the core.

A disc 18 is slidably mounted upon the terminal 17 and is located outside of the bushing 15. A means is provided for holding the disc 18 in various rotative positions. This means comprises collars 19 fixed upon the terminals 17 and springs 20 acting between the collars 19 and the disc 18 to normally urge the disc against the side of the bushing 15. Several small projections 21 from the inside face of the disc 18 engage in certain of a plurality of nicks 22 arranged upon the face of the bushing 15 in a manner so that the disc 18 may be rotated to various positions and maintain these positions.

A support arm 23 projects from the core 16. Another arm 24 is pivotally supported on the support arm 23 by reason of being pivotally mounted in a standard 25 attached upon the arm 23. The arm 24 is adapted to move in the vertical and upon rotation of the core substantially 90 to move in the horizontal.

An electric switch 26 is mounted upon the core 16 and is in electrical connection with the terminals 17 so that the switch may be engaged in the control circuit of the washing machine not shown on the drawing, but previously described in the of the commercial type which is provided with a control member 27 adapted to pivot in one direction or the other to open or close the switch.

A pin 28 projects from the controlling member 27 and engages into the forked end 29 of the arm 24.

The arrangement is such that upon pivoting of the arm 24 the switch 26 is operated. The free end of the arm 24 rests upon the upper end of the rod 13. A weight 30 is secured upon the arm 24 so as to urge the arm against the rod 13. A means is also provided for preventing the arm 24 from pivoting when the core 16 is turned around degrees so that the arm 24 would pivot in the horizontal. This means comprises plurality of radial teeth 31 arranged upon adjacent laces of the arm 24 and the standard 25.

Normally the float 14 holds the free end of the arm 24 in a raised position. When the grease solvent within the tank 12 falls to such an extent that a new supply will shortly be needed then the rod 13 will drop to a position in which the rod 24 which follows the rod 13, actuates the switch 26. Thus the device may serve as an indicating device for the grease solvent. If it is desired to move the parts to an inoperative position the disc 18 may be manually turned so as to cause turning of the core 16 about 90 and thus pivot the arm 24 out from its position of contact with the top of the rod 13. In the pivoted position of the core 16 the arm 24 also will be restrained from pivoting, since such pivoting would have no function and would merely constitute a loose part. The teeth 31 engage each other under the force if gravity when the arm 24 is arranged in the horizontal and is thus held against motion.

In Fig. 5 another arrangement of indicating switch has been disclosed in which a mercury switch is used and in which the indicating switch is mounted upon the grease solvent tank 12. This form of the device distinguishes from the previous form in various small details. The main distinction lies in the fact that it is equipped with an arm 24' simulating the arm 24 but distinguished therefrom in being directly connected with a float 32 acting directly in the grease solvent. Furthermore the inner end of the arm 24 carries a clip 33 which supports a commercial mercury switch 34. This mercury switch is connected by leads 35 to the terminals 17.

Normally with sufficient grease solvent within the tank the arm 24 will be held in such an inclination that the mercury switch .34 will be tilted, to constitute one position of operation. As the level of the grease solvent falls the arm 24' will be moved to a different position in which the mercury switch 34 will be differently tilted so as to constitute its other position. To place this indicating switch in the inoperative position it is merely necessary that the disc 18 be rotated through substantially 90 degrees so as to rotate the core 16 correspondingly. This change will cause the arm 24 to be capable of swinging only in the horizontal but since the float 32 attempts to move in the vertical the interchangeable teeth 31 upon the sides of the arm 24' and-the standard 25 will be interengaged so as to prevent this operation.

In Figs. 6 and '7 another modified form of the indicating switch has been disclosed which distinguishes from the previous form merely in the particular type of switch included in its construction. In this particular case the electric conductor 36 is used to close the circuit between the inner ends of the terminals 17. The electrical conductor 36 is mounted upon a diaphragm 37 which is supported on the inner end of the core 16 by a clamp ring 38 which threadedly engages upon the inner end of the core. A supporting arm 23 projects from the clamp ring 38 and constitutes a standard for supporting the arm 24,

The other end of the arm indicated by reference numeral 38 is adapted to engage against the diaphragm 37 so as to move the diaphragm into a position in which the conductor 36 connects the terminals 1'7. In other respects this form of the device is similar to the previous form and corresponding parts may be recognized by similar reference numerals. Its operation consists in the buoying action of the grease solvent acting upon the float 32 so as to normally hold the con ductor 36 across the terminals 17. When the grease solvent falls below a pre-determined level the float 32 will move downwards and cause pivoting of the arm 24 so that the end 38' moves free from the diaphragm 37 which will then move into its natural position which position is one in which the conductor 36 moves away from the inner ends of the terminals 17 and so the circuit is opened. To move the indicating switch into an inoperative position the disc 18 may be rotated through substantially 90 degrees so as to change the position of pivoting of the arm 24 so that it moves in the horizontal. The upward buoying action of the float 32, will now cause the radial teeth 31 on the opposite faces of the arm 24 and the supporting standard 23 to interengage and so prevent motion.

While I have shown and described the preferrer embodiment of my invention, it is to be under stood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is rtxerved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. An indicating switch, comprising a bushing for extending through a tank, a core mounted through said bushing, a pair of terminals mounted through said core, an electric conductor adapted to connect the inner ends of said terminals, a diaphragm resiliently supporting said electrical conductor so as normally to have the circuit opened, a lever pivotally mounted upon said core, and a float attached upon said lever to pivot the lever so that the lever engages said diaphragm and moves the diaphragm into a position in which the conductor engages against the inner end of said terminals. 1

2. An indicating switch, comprising a bushing for extending through a tank, a core mounted through said bushing, a pair of terminals mounted through said core, an electric conductor adapted to connect the inner ends of said terminals, a diaphragm resiliently supporting said electrical conductor so as normally to have the circuit opened, a lever pivotally mounted upon said core, and a float attached upon said lever to pivot the lever so that the lever engages said diaphragm and moves the diaphragm into a position in which the conductor engages against the inner end of said terminals, said lever being pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends, and one end of said lever being bent so as to be disposed substantially at the center of the diaphragm.

3. An indicating switch, comprising a bushing for extension through a tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc slidable upon said terminals and disposed outside of said bushing, means for holding said disk in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain I0- tative position of the core to move in the horizontal, a switch for a control circuit on said core and operated by the pivoting of said arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal.

4. An indicating switch, comprising a bushing for extension through a tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc slidable upon said terminals and disposed outside 015 said bushing, means for holding said disc in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain rotative position of the core to move inthe horizontal, a switch for a control circuit on said core and operated by the pivoting of said arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal, said means for holding the disc in various rotative positions comprising collars fixed upon said terminals,,resilient means acting between said collars and said discs to urge the disc against said bushing, and projecting from said disc engaging recesses formed in the side of said bushing.

5. An indicating switch, comprising a bushing for extension through a tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc slidable upon said terminals and disposed outside of said bushing, means for holding said disc in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain rotative position of the core to move in the horizontal, a switch for a control circuit on said core and operated by the pivoting ofsaid arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal, comprising radial teeth in the vicinity of said arm and upon the adjacent faces of the arm and said support arm.

6. An indicating switch for grease solvent for dish washing machines, comprising a bushing for extension through the grease solvent tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc mounted upon said terminals and disposed outside of said bushing, means for holding said disc in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain rotative position of the core to move in the horizontal, a switch for a control circuit on said core and operated by the pivoting of said arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal.

7. An indicating switch for grease solvent for dish washing machines, comprising a bushing for extension through the grease solvent tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc slidable upon said terminals and disposed outside of said bushing, means for holding said disc in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain rotative position of the core to move in the horizontal, a switch for a control circuit on said core and operated by the pivoting of said arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal said means for holding said disc in various rotative positions including resilient means urging said disc against the 4 end of said core,

8. An indicating switch for grease solvent for dish washing machines, comprising a bushing for extension through the grease solvent tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc slidable upon said terminals and disposed outside of said bushing, means for holding said disc in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain rotative position of the core to move in the horizontal, a. switch for a control circuit associated with said arm and operated by the pivoting of said arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal. I

9. An indicating switch for grease solvent for dish washing machines, comprising a bushing for extension through the grease solvent tank, a core rotative in said bushing, a pair of terminals extended through said core, a disc slidable upon said terminals and disposed outside of said bushing, means for holding said disc in various rotative positions, a support arm projecting from the inside of said core, an arm pivotally supported on said support arm to move in the vertical and in a certain rotative position of the core to move in the horizontal, a switch for a control circuit on said core and operated by the pivoting of said arm, a float for engagement in the liquid in said tank and connected to move said arm in the vertical, and means for preventing said arm from pivoting in the horizontal, including associate means on said arm and said support arm.

ROBERT BURKLE. 

